Chelsea FC 2 - 2 Manchester United: Tempers flare at Stamford Bridge after Barkley goal denies Mourinho and United

Posted Saturday, October 20, 2018 by PA

Ross Barkley scored a late equaliser as Chelsea drew 2-2 with Manchester United – leading to a touchline altercation which saw Jose Mourinho dragged away from a flare-up in the mouth of the Stamford Bridge tunnel.

The former Blues boss has not won at his former ground since taking over at United and he was involved after the home bench erupted in celebrations at the late leveller.

The visitors had looked on course for a rare Premier League win in west London as an Anthony Martial brace cancelled out Antonio Rudiger’s opener.

Chelsea FC 2 - 2 Manchester United: Tempers flare at Stamford Bridge after Barkley goal denies Mourinho and United — Tempers flared at the Bridge (Adam Davy/PA)

However, Barkley slammed in the last meaningful kick of the contest to secure a point, with all eyes then drawn to a spat between Mourinho and Chelsea’s second assistant coach Marco Ianni.

Mourinho shook hands with Blues boss Maurizio Sarri at the final whistle but was jeered by the home supporters and responded by holding up three fingers to them at full-time, representing the trio of league titles he won as manager of the club.

Rudiger capitalised on slack marking from Paul Pogba to head Sarri’s side ahead but their unbeaten start to the season was almost ended by a man who had guided them to three league titles.

Mourinho confirms Marco Ianni came and apologised after the game, and he accepted his apology. Says he has made mistakes and will do so again. #MUFC #CFC

— Mark Mann-Bryans (@MarkyMBryans) October 20, 2018

Mourinho had singled out Chelsea’s Eden Hazard for praise on the eve of the contest and, unsurprisingly, the forward was also given special attention by the visitors.

Ashley Young, who impressed, clattered the Belgian early on with Nemanja Matic following suit seconds later before earning a yellow card for bundling his former team-mate to the ground once more.

Romelu Lukaku’s first chance at goal saw the former Chelsea striker head well wide from seven yards out after he was picked out well by Luke Shaw’s cross.

There was no such profligacy at the other end as Rudiger lost Pogba at a corner to power a header past David De Gea and give Chelsea a 20th-minute lead.

Young was the next United man to be cautioned for fouling Hazard, going through the back of the league’s top goalscorer on the halfway line.

Hazard, perhaps sick of the rough stuff, picked up a booking of his own for a fouling Marcus Rashford as the England forward looked to break into the Chelsea box.

Alvaro Morata, preferred in attack to Olivier Giroud, had a marvellous chance to double Chelsea’s lead soon after the break but his low shot was too weak to beat De Gea.

United drew level nine minutes after the interval, Juan Mata finally forcing Kepa Arrizabalaga into action with a fine low save.

The visitors kept the ball alive and Martial controlled and turned home Young’s shot as Marcos Alonso lay prone in the middle of the box.

The goal seemed to give United belief they could go on and win the game while simultaneously rattling Chelsea’s confidence -although David Luiz missed a great chance to head Chelsea back in front.

N’Golo Kante drew a great stop out of De Gea with an effort from the edge of the area as Chelsea looked to regain the lead.

Instead they fell behind, Mata doing well to break down the right and feed Rashford, whose pass was slightly miscontrolled by Martial before he bent superbly home past Kepa.

Mourinho’s touchline demeanour changed as he hugged Martial when the France forward was replaced in the closing stages by Andreas Pereira.

Chelsea pushed for a leveller and it came as Luiz’s header off the post was turned towards goal by Rudiger. De Gea made a point-blank save only for substitute Barkley to turn home from close range – Mourinho then leaping from the bench after Ianni celebrated in front of the Portuguese.